Patrol

Patrol Sergeant Hagstrom started his career as a volunteer Reserve Officer for the Sandpoint Police Department in 2003. In 2005, he was hired as a full time Patrol Officer. Sergeant Hagstrom has served the citizens of Sandpoint for the past 10 years as a full time officer. During this time, he has held several positions within the Sandpoint Police Department. He has served as a Patrol Officer, School Resource Officer, Detective, and in his current position as the Patrol Sergeant. Sergeant Hagstrom holds an Advanced Law Enforcement Certificate and is one of the departments Field Training Officers. Sergeant Hagstrom was born and raised in the area and enjoys being a member of this community.

Patrol Facts

The Patrol Division is the uniformed section of the police department and consists of a Patrol Lieutenant, two Patrol Sergeants and ten Patrol Officers. Within our Patrol Division we staff our Honor Guard, two K-9 Handlers, one SRO, Bike Officers, and 6-8 Reserves.

The purpose of the Uniformed Patrol Division is to prevent violations of statues and ordinances, investigate accidents, enforce traffic laws, direct traffic, respond to calls for service and patrol our residential and business areas. The uniformed Patrol Division is our first responder.

K-9 Harley was adopted by Shine K-9 from MCPAWS on 9/9/08 and was placed with the Sandpoint Police Department in November of 2008. Harley is one of over 150 dogs trained by Gary and Rosemary Scheihing, including a bomb detection dog working at the Statue of Liberty. In January 2012 Harley became Officer Michael Valenzuela’s partner and they formed a new K-9 team after completion of training with the Idaho P.O.S.T. K-9 Handlers in May of 2012.

School Resource Officer

Our School Resource Officer (SRO) is a law enforcement officer, with sworn authority and is employed by the City of Sandpoint Police Department and is assigned to the schools within the City of Sandpoint. SRO's work in collaboration with educators, students, parents and the community to reduce crime, drug abuse, and violence, with the overall goal of providing a safe school environment. Our SRO attains specialty certification through Idaho POST and receives specialized training to perform three main roles: Law enforcement officer, law related counselor, and law related education teacher. Officer Spencer Smith is our current School Resource Officer and is responsible for the SHS, SMS, LPO and elementary schools within the City of Sandpoint.
Officer Spencer Smith, School Resource Officer.

Bike Patrol

The purpose of Bike Patrol is to reduce crime by providing targeted bicycle patrols in areas of the City that are normally inaccessible by patrol cars. These areas may include parks, paths, scenic trails and the many events that the City of Sandpoint hosts.

In addition, Bike Patrol Officers are more approachable while patrolling on a bicycle. This helps enhance citizen interaction for developing strong community relationships. Bike Patrol also offers bicycle safety education.

Bike Patrol improves community relations, cost savings, faster officer response times and environmental benefits are just some of the reasons we are putting our public safety officers on bikes.

Top reasons for bike officers:

Bikes are less threatening than patrol vehicles

Other bicyclists are more accepting of bike patrol officers

Bicycle patrols result in more than twice as many contacts with the public than vehicle patrols

Bicycle police/security uniforms help officers to quickly transition from their traditional law enforcement duties to more service oriented work

Perpetrators don't notice bike patrols

Bike patrols can go where traditional patrol vehicles can't

Bicycle officers can use all of their senses to detect illegal activity

Bicycles cost much less to purchase and maintain than traditional patrol cars

Bikes provide environmental and health benefits

Honor Guard

Reserves

The Sandpoint Police Department Reserve Program is comprised of members of our community who volunteer their time to fulfill many of the roles handled by a full-time sworn police officer. Reserve Officers receive the same basic training that our full time officers receive and work alongside of them in every aspect of the departments goals and objectives.

The selection criteria and process to become a Reserve Officer with the Sandpoint Police Department is the same as a full time officer.

Serving in your community as a Reserve Officer will offer you training, challenges, excitement, teamwork and is a significant personal reward.